TIRANA, July 17 – Ali Pasha’s Fortress stands on an island at the mouth of the Vivari Channel, inside Butrint National Park. Italian travel website SiViaggia describes it as one of Albania’s most distinctive historical landmarks. The fortress lies between Lake Butrint and the Ionian Sea, overlooking the Strait of Corfu. Its location helped control access to the lake, fishing areas, trade routes and maritime movements.

The site remains closely linked to Ali Pasha Tepelena, one of the most influential figures in the Balkans during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. After taking control of the area in 1804, he expanded the original Venetian structure. Workers strengthened the walls, added towers and improved the defensive system. Archaeological research has identified several construction phases that transformed the small fortification into an important military position.

Today, visitors reach the fortress by boat through the Vivar Channel. The short journey offers views of wetlands, forests and the protected landscape of Butrint National Park. From the fortress walls, visitors can see Lake Butrint and the surrounding area. On clear days, they can also view the coast of Corfu. The site lies south of Ksamil and about 20 kilometres from Saranda, allowing visitors to combine the trip with a visit to ancient Butrint, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

/a.p./